Faith in Focus:
Published: Apr 21, 2010 02:00 AM
'Jesus Feast' takes the wheel
BY FLO JOHNSTON, Correspondent
A Durham private chef is taking her "Jesus Feast" on the road. Zacki Murphy, owner of Zacki's Catering Creations, has begun offering a presentation called "An Ancient Mediterranean Meal: Foods from the Time of Jesus" to congregations in the area.
Recently she served a buffet to 125 members of Grey Stone Baptist Church and on Good Friday, she brought her presentation and the buffet to the Youth Life Foundation of the Triangle at King's Park International Church.
She goes into the churches where she teaches volunteers how to make foods of the first century and instructs them in how to set up an attractive buffet table. She gives a 12 to15-minute power point presentation, especially about the kosher laws of that time and what foods were available and how food was gathered and prepared.
"I have the help for authenticity from consultants Carol and Eric Meyers of the Duke Department of Religion," Zacki said. "They have been to Israel many times and they keep me kosher."
The $10 menu (she charges only for the food, not for her services) begins with new wine, sparkling grape juice and includes hummus with flat bread; bittergreen salad; pomegranate, with molasses dressing, vinegar and olive oil; cucumbers, scallions, herbs and honey with sesame sticks; roasted chicken, marinated in citrus juice, olive oil, and rosemary; roasted vegetables and seven grain kashi bread made mainly from wheat and barley. Prune newtons are served for dessert though they may be made with figs or apricots as well. The cake part is made of almond flour and honey.
"My lessons include insightful teachings about methods of food gathering and preparation, and I will discuss incorporating these ancient Mediterranean recipes into your daily life," she said.
A native of Hillsborough and a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, Zacki has sampled many world cuisines on location as a successful Ford model. Her passion for fresh regional food was rekindled as a food stylist for Martha Stewart and as owner of Zacki's BBQ in New York City before moving back to this area five years ago.
A native of Hillsborough and a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, Zacki has sampled many world cuisines on location as a successful Ford model. Her passion for fresh regional food was rekindled as a food stylist for Martha Stewart and as owner of Zacki's BBQ in New York City before moving back to this area five years ago.
Zacki can be reached at (919)360-7744 or zackisculinary@aol.com.
